Monday 30 June 2008
Friday 27 June 2008
My Poetry Page
I miss the blue skies, sunshine and space to breath on Cape CodI have started a Poetry Blog as many of my family and friends will be more interested in my journel than my poems.And many who read my poems really aren`t interested in my journel. If you want to read my poetry than access the link. The weather has been horrendous since I got back from holiday.Days of wind and rain that beats discription. I honestly thought the trees in the garden would crash and my roof would fly away. And I think I am suffering from SAD "Seasonal Affected Disorder" and in June. I also had some extended dental work that has left me feeling so down and lathargic and miss the beautiful blue skies of New England and the warmth of the sun even though it was too much for me at times, 95 degrees. Went to lunch yesterday, during a torrential storm,as I needed to get out of the house. It was good seeing my friends and having a jolly good natter. Going to the movies tomorrow come hell or high water to see Indiana Jones ,I was so pleased when I saw he was still on the bill, I haven`t had opportunity to go for many weeks.
My Poetry
http://wwwvaleriecookuk.blogspot.com/
My Poetry
http://wwwvaleriecookuk.blogspot.com/
Thursday 19 June 2008
New England USA
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Cape Cod 50 mile beach.jpg)
Queyside shops Nantucket
Essex Steam Train.jpg)
Chalets in the bay on Marthas VineyardArrived home Sunday afternoon tired and weary after travelling for 24hours. Cape Cod to Manchester
Every time I fly long haul I vow it’s for the last time. Then time passes and memories fade and all I remember is the good times, exciting places I have seen and the people I have met. New England is a joy, it has beautiful pristine coastline, unspoilt in places and preserved in splendour. Neat colourful shingle cottages unchanged in style over centuries, you could imagine the pilgrim fathers ,whaling ships and pirates still hiding away somewhere ready to be resurrected. I loved it ,clean ,uncluttered, cared for countryside. It was 95degrees most of the time even by the sea and never dropped below 90. In the city to stop people bringing in their cars the city trolleys were free, so we travelled all over the city when we had some free time.. We started off in Providence Rhode Island and spent five days visiting places in the area. Newport, a coastal resort famous for the large elaborate expensive summer homes bult around the 1890.Mansions complete with ballrooms that they called cottages. These homes were only inhabited for two months a year. serious money people. A few now maintained and renovated by the Preservation Society. We took the fast ferry from New Bedford to Marthas Vineyard a delightful island with villages of neat shingle summer cottages decorated with gingerbread fret work. Quaker Communities built camp sites first tents then chalets that still exist and are used today. So picturesque and quaint. The Blockbuster Jaws was filmed there and during our tour the guide was most most insistent we watch it, as he had been an film extra. It was very hot day and we had difficulty finding shade. Then we sailed over to stay on Nantucket Island for few days ,this is my favourite island unspoilt and charming . So different to Marthas Vineyard in character much more organised and pretty. Both islands are very exclusive with homes costing millions of dollars. The gardens where spectacular, full of colour and fragrant roses. Household staff are flown or sail over each day as there is no accommodation on the island for them. We stayed in the only hotel who could cope with 30 guests situated by the small airport at the far end of the island. . There are lots of tiny craft shop, museums and places of interest. Artists, potters, sculpturs and basket makers live around the island. Initially both island supported Whaling for many years the whale oil was essential for the lamps. It was very interesting to see and hear about that time. The Whaling ships would be away for home for four to five years travelling to the Pacific Ocean to hunt Sperm Whale, because they could harvest more oil from this type of whale. I learned such a lot about whales from the museum guides they were very interesting. Most women stayed home and had to manage without income so became skilled in many crafts. Some Captains families when on the voyages too. Men also manned the Lightships out in the bay for as long as eight months. So they too became skilled in making Nantucket baskets and working Scrimshaw, etching pictures on whale bone and teeth. With the arrival of the much better kerosene for lamps the demand for whale oil diminished and the California gold rush took the men. At the end of our holiday we travelled to Cape Cod to see the fifty mile beach and the lighthouses. Our tour was mainly for Rail enthusiasts. Seven of us from England and twenty three Americans from all over the USA. We rode on Old Steam Locomotives all over the state. On two occasions we had dinner in the 1920 style dining car on the train,rode the rails in the old style parlour carriages with the swinging easy chairs and enjoyed bar service as we rode the coastline and enjoyed the views and the sunsets,magic.We also got to ride the old trolley cars with open sides great fun. It was brilliant, lots of interesting things to see and hear.Gorgeous weather and great company.
Every time I fly long haul I vow it’s for the last time. Then time passes and memories fade and all I remember is the good times, exciting places I have seen and the people I have met. New England is a joy, it has beautiful pristine coastline, unspoilt in places and preserved in splendour. Neat colourful shingle cottages unchanged in style over centuries, you could imagine the pilgrim fathers ,whaling ships and pirates still hiding away somewhere ready to be resurrected. I loved it ,clean ,uncluttered, cared for countryside. It was 95degrees most of the time even by the sea and never dropped below 90. In the city to stop people bringing in their cars the city trolleys were free, so we travelled all over the city when we had some free time.. We started off in Providence Rhode Island and spent five days visiting places in the area. Newport, a coastal resort famous for the large elaborate expensive summer homes bult around the 1890.Mansions complete with ballrooms that they called cottages. These homes were only inhabited for two months a year. serious money people. A few now maintained and renovated by the Preservation Society. We took the fast ferry from New Bedford to Marthas Vineyard a delightful island with villages of neat shingle summer cottages decorated with gingerbread fret work. Quaker Communities built camp sites first tents then chalets that still exist and are used today. So picturesque and quaint. The Blockbuster Jaws was filmed there and during our tour the guide was most most insistent we watch it, as he had been an film extra. It was very hot day and we had difficulty finding shade. Then we sailed over to stay on Nantucket Island for few days ,this is my favourite island unspoilt and charming . So different to Marthas Vineyard in character much more organised and pretty. Both islands are very exclusive with homes costing millions of dollars. The gardens where spectacular, full of colour and fragrant roses. Household staff are flown or sail over each day as there is no accommodation on the island for them. We stayed in the only hotel who could cope with 30 guests situated by the small airport at the far end of the island. . There are lots of tiny craft shop, museums and places of interest. Artists, potters, sculpturs and basket makers live around the island. Initially both island supported Whaling for many years the whale oil was essential for the lamps. It was very interesting to see and hear about that time. The Whaling ships would be away for home for four to five years travelling to the Pacific Ocean to hunt Sperm Whale, because they could harvest more oil from this type of whale. I learned such a lot about whales from the museum guides they were very interesting. Most women stayed home and had to manage without income so became skilled in many crafts. Some Captains families when on the voyages too. Men also manned the Lightships out in the bay for as long as eight months. So they too became skilled in making Nantucket baskets and working Scrimshaw, etching pictures on whale bone and teeth. With the arrival of the much better kerosene for lamps the demand for whale oil diminished and the California gold rush took the men. At the end of our holiday we travelled to Cape Cod to see the fifty mile beach and the lighthouses. Our tour was mainly for Rail enthusiasts. Seven of us from England and twenty three Americans from all over the USA. We rode on Old Steam Locomotives all over the state. On two occasions we had dinner in the 1920 style dining car on the train,rode the rails in the old style parlour carriages with the swinging easy chairs and enjoyed bar service as we rode the coastline and enjoyed the views and the sunsets,magic.We also got to ride the old trolley cars with open sides great fun. It was brilliant, lots of interesting things to see and hear.Gorgeous weather and great company.
Go see these beautiful baskets http://www.nantucketbasketworks.com/
Go see the Gingerbread Cottages on Marthas Vineyard
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